Schumacher won’t get F60 test (Poll)

Michael Schumacher will not get to sample a 2009-spec Ferrari F60 after three teams blocked the move.

The opposition came from Williams and Red Bull/Toro Rosso. The latter objected because they claim to have made a similar request for Jaime Alguersuari which had been turned down. Williams, meanwhile, said Ferrari should have used one of their nominated reserve drivers.

Should Schumacher be allowed to test a 2009-spec F1 car?

Yes (34%)

No (66%)

Total Voters: 2,481

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Mercedes’ Norbert Haug, who was in favour of granting Schumacher a test, seemed to think Red Bull had not made such a request for Alguersuari:

Giving Jaime a test would have been justifiable, but having said that I don’t think there was an official request.

He added:

You will find some guys that will try to block it. But what goes around comes around. They will need some help at another stage. It’s not giving people presents, it’s being fair when it’s justifiable.

You don’t need me to rattle off Schumacher’s daunting career stats to prove how gigantically experienced he is. If the F60 is as competitive at Valencia as it was at the Hungaroring then even if he hasn’t tested it yet he’s a candidate for the win.

And you have to wonder if that’s part of the reason why some of the other teams don’t want him testing.

116 comments on “Schumacher won’t get F60 test (Poll)”

There is nothing really to be said in this situation. Those are the rules, and it would look rather silly if Schumacher got special treatment to test while other drivers did not. So the way I see it, the rules need to stand, or if the ban is to be lifted then it should be lifted for all teams equally.

Overall, it is obvious that this is not fair to new driver or drivers that have not raced in F1 for a while. But under the current circumstances there is nothing that can be done.

First off, I want to make it clear I think the testing ban is a bad idea for just this reason. It makes it harder for teams to get rid of bad drivers to make way for someone who might have the chance of being one of the good drivers of the next generation, so I think it should go. But the rule exists, so any discussion must include it. Still when enforcing a rule its as important to look at its intent as it is to look at the straight letter of the law.

Now, that being said, I think this situation is completely different than the situation STR and Jamie were in. In the case of STR they made the decision to make a voluntary change in their driver lineup with the realization that the testing ban would make just such a change harder. Despite the testing ban and the fact that it would likely result in Jamie’s first few races turning into nothing but extended testing sessions, they still make the decision to change drivers. In that case they knew the rules and made a decision in spite of them, so refusing Jamie testing time is at least somewhat valid.

Ferrari’s situation is quite different. The team didn’t just decide to make a driver change, it was forced upon them by Massa’s accident. Given the choice of having Massa drive (who has been performing well and nearly won the championship last year) and having an over 40 Schumacher (who is years away from the cockpit) drive, its a no brainer its Massa all the way. That’s what makes this completely different. Its Ferrari trying to do what they can to mitigate the damage to their team from the collision. In this case I could see an exception being made, since this is an exceptional situation.

There is a world of difference between a driver change being made by choice and one being made due to having a driver nearly killed and physically unable to drive in the next race.

I for one don’t miss it. This way big teams can’t outspend smaller teams by having more testing days. Ferrari used to have cars running on 2 tracks at the same time – if that isn’t the waste of money I don’t know what is.

Granted, rules are rules…We all want to set an even playing ground for all involved, despite the halo of “Legendary” status hovering over any driver’s head. Those rules ought to remain untouched and obeyed to the letter…

However, to be honest, its is no easy task ignoring the fact that this is a legend were talking about. The great of the past comes to challenge the great of the present. This race is an answer to our “What-if” questions which we so badly want answers to ever since he retired. Would the legend stay solid against legends-in-the-making. I believe Massa’s accident was truly a tragedy, but it also gave way to the opportunity of bringing the past to the present. I, personally, only wanted to see the legend in his best form…thru testing. That would be an awesome site…however, who knows, the legend might not need the extra help. They have ways pulling off the unexpected…

I think in the interests of safety a replacement driver should be allowed some time in the car. However, this would need a rule change. As of now, no, Schumacher shouldn’t get a test because the rules are clear.

No definitely not…. as much as i admire Schumi’s experience and accomplishments, i don’t think the rules should be bent further for him. He’s already warped enough of them in his career.

He’s got a ton of experience, and if Jaime Alguessari could beat his teammate on his first ever F1 race, i think Schumi would be capable of scoring his 92nd win or at the very least his 190th podium without turning a wheel in that specific car.

On the one hand, I get Red Bull and Toro Rosso’s stance: Schumacher shouldn’t have a test because Jaime Alguersuari didn’t get one.

But on the other hand, I can’t help but see it as a political move to try and scupper Schumacher’s chances. If he has no test beforehand, the first time he gets into the car will be Friday practice. And while he’ll no doubt be up to speed by qualifying and the race, there’s more pressure involved, and I can’t help but think that the teams want it that way because they’re intimidated by him. Schumacher is notoriously difficult to pass because he’s so damn good at defensive driving, and with KERS he’ll be even harder to overtake. But if he has minimal track time beforehand, there’s a chance the other teams can get the jump on him, something which I think is really unfair.

And while heâ€™ll no doubt be up to speed by qualifying and the race, thereâ€™s more pressure involved
I take issue with this statement. You don’t get to a world champion unless you can handle the pressure. Like you said, he’ll be up to speed, and he’ll be near the front.

Personally, I find it annoying that Ferrari even requested an F60 test for Schumi, but it’s not F1 w/o drama.

Surely if it’s a political move for the other teams to veto it, surely it is also a political move for Ferrari to request it in the first place?

Ferrari are being more than a little cheeky here given that (a) they know Alguesuari didn’t get a chance to test and (b) it’s only Michael ******* Schumacher! The most successful F1 racing driver ever.

He doesn’t see a problem in giving Schumacher some mileage in a new car. Who cares anyway? Itâ€™s not like he is going to test new parts. He will get to know the car. Big deal.

Besides:
“Giving Jaime a test would have been justifiable, but having said that I don’t think there was an official request.”

So if Red Bull ever sent out a request they forgot to tell Norbert Haug. For that matter they forgot to tell the world press. Who DID they ask? Mosley?

STR made the choice to swap drivers on their own. Massa was injured and Ferrari are forced to replace him. They could use one of the test drivers, but then they hardly tested either.

On the other hand, I don’t really see why Schumacher would need a test. My only concern would be safety, but if he tests in an older spec car he should be able to get used to driving an F1 car again to.

Still, I don’t see a problem in it and I agree that other rookies should be allowed to test. In fact BMW motioned for this already.

It would be good for F1 and show that people care and that they can be united.

Instead what do they do? They show they don’t give a hoot about another team’s problems and they show they cannot agree on even the little things. It’s another embarrassment.

Hang on, is everybody (including Norbert) saying that Old Schuey is allowed special dispensation to test a Ferrari BECAUSE he is an ex-world champion, whereas a complete rookie like Jaime is not allowed to test BECAUSE he has never seen an F1 car before? Isn’t that completely illogical and back-to-front thinking?
If anything, an ex-world champion needs hardly any pre-testing to know how the car behaves, whereas a rookie will need all the help they can get.
I’m with Frank on this one, which is rare for me. Why have Ferrari brought back Schuey when they have two perfectly good test drivers already, both of which actually know the current F60? Of course, he will learn the car very quickly and be competitive, thats how he is, but why have they bothered having any other drivers at all if they are always going to turn to him when there is a crisis?
Also, this now makes me wonder what special dispensation may or may not be allowed for Piquet Jrs replacement at Renault…….

well their perfectly good test drivers that supposedly know the F60 are not so perfectly good in competition and dont know the F60. the F60 has changed a lot since they drove it last, so they have same stance in that respect as Shumi.

but i say no to the test exemption…i’m sure in one weekend, shumi will give as much development input and by the next race the car will have evolved stratospherically

Hold your horsies DGR-F1, no one said Jaime wasn’t allowed to test. See what Haug said, he said STR didn’t ask for the test for the rookie. No one is saying because MS is ex-champion that he should get special treatment.

The problem lies on the fact if STR put in a test request or not. But I haven’t got the feeling that STR requested it.

And because of that, I haven’t voted if MS should test the F60 or not. If STR DID request but rejected, then Ferrari shouldn’t allow MS to drive the F60. Or else, it is fair game for MS to try the F60.

Hang on, is everybody (including Norbert) saying that Old Schuey is allowed special dispensation to test a Ferrari BECAUSE he is an ex-world champion, whereas a complete rookie like Jaime is not allowed to test BECAUSE he has never seen an F1 car before?

No, that’s not what Norbert was saying. He said he was happy for Schumacher to be given a test in the F60 and that he was unaware of a similar request being made by STR on behalf of Alguarsuari.

OK so there’s one question – did STR ask for a test? If they did, Haug doesn’t seem to have been informed. However, there is no reason for him to have been informed if they asked only the FiA, so the fact that Haug doesn’t know about it doesn’t really say anything. There has been no comment from the FiA as to whether they were asked by STR as far as I know. So claiming that they didn’t ask is conjecture at this stage and can’t be held against them, and if they say they did ask then what evidence is there to prove them wrong (other than Haug, who afaik had no reason to be informed)?

However, even outside of all of that, even if they hadn’t asked they (and any other team) are still totally within their rights to veto the Schuey test simply because it’s against the rules. If STR didn’t ask, they could argue (although they haven’t) that they wouldn’t have asked as they knew it was against the rules and there was no point in asking.

Whether the rules are sensible is a different question (I happen to think they aren’t) but not relevant to this situation where they have already been decided, agreed and adhered to by all the other teams.

Or to go back to my original writing style, HOW DO YOU KNOW THEY DIDN’T ASK? HAVE YOU CHECKED WITH EVERYONE IN THE PADDOCK?!?!?!? ;o)

OK, I understand from previous threads that STR possibly had not asked for Jaime to have any pre-testing before he raced.
My point really is that the whole paddock, with very few exceptions appeared to allow Old Schuey to have pre-testing, purely because of who he is (or was!)
Which also makes me ask, are Ferrari admitting that maybe he won’t live up to his reputation? Is he too old for the job, and they know it?

Rules is rules n all that. As much as I want him to do well and be ready to bring some excitement to Valencia, we all know he’ll spend 10 minutes “acclimatising” and the rest of the day testing new bits and working on set-ups.
Surely STR didn’t think to ask – expecting Jaime to be out of the way at the back minding his own business. That’s how new drivers get their baptism now dangerous or not. You know how anal F1 people are about looking at every angle of a situation before making a decision. They must have seen this situation arising before the testing ban was introduced.

Having said that, I don’t agree giving Ferrari a concession. By doing so, they will gain, potentially, a huge unfair advantage. Is it possible that Gene and Badoer can’t drive a Formula One car well? If so, why are they their test drivers? Just one day can mean a lot to evaluate parts on a car in Formula 1, so if this concession is allowed, it must be allowed to any team. Which brings us to the conclusion that by doing so, the whole rule will be nullified.

TR chose to sack seb B (i cant spell his name) – and chose replace him with a driver with no experience. They deserve no testing day.

But ferrari didnt choose to replace massa, they were forced to…. Yes – they could have replaced schumi with either test driver, but even then they would be quite rusty… straight line testing only recently. Given the accident was beyond control – I believe that ferrari at least deserve a chance to limit the damage by allowing their nominated driver some time to get used to the 2009 spec f1 car.

But isn’t that the point that Williams were trying to make?
Ferrari *have* two nominated reserve or back-up drivers already. So use one of them. That’s what they are for.
If they want to use a completely different driver – Schumacher – because Ferrari think he will be better, they should not be given the further advantage of a day’s testing.
Supposing they tested and Shumi turned out to be rubbish. Would you let them draft in Montoya or Villeneuve next and give them another day’s testing as well?
I think the testing ban is daft, but while the rule is in place, it must apply to all the teams equally.

I take your point completely; the STR and the Ferrari situations are completely different. And that’s why Williams concentrated on the fact that Ferrari should be using one of their nominated test/reserve drivers.
I can’t imagine how Badoer and Gene feel at the moment. Ferrari themselves look pretty stupid, retaining two drivers and then not having the confidence to use either of them . . .

FIA:”Hello Ferrari…how ya doin’…gooood…look we are getting a lot of pressure around here of how to improve the show but we are having a hard time focusing because of all the rule changes and fighting off allegations of being dictators and nazis and stuff you know sooooo…it is time to start earning your extra insentive money,could you give everyone a distraction and take us out of the spotlight for awhile?”

Ferrari:”Well lets see….we could get Schumacher to come out of retirement and stir the circus up a bit.”….”yeah that should do it,you pay our test drivers salary for doing nothing this season and we will talk to Schumi.”

As the rules stand now he shouldnâ€™t be allowed to test especially if Toro Rosso were turned down when they wanted Alguersuari to test, who was a complete F1 rookie.

This will probably prompt a review of the ban on testing. If the ban on in season testing stays I think that teams should defiantly give their reserve driver a test in the current car during the pre-season testing, obviously it wouldnâ€™t have made any difference for Alquersuari or Schumacher as they werenâ€™t the reserve drivers before the start of the season.

Another option would be to allow a one off test for a replacement driver but the team would not be allowed to bring use any new parts.

Or they could partially lift the ban on testing and have one testing session for all the teams during the season but only allow them to use reserve drivers.

As the ban on testing is all about reducing costs how about doing what they do in MotoGP, after some race weekends they stay on at the track and do testing on the Monday, as this would surely cut down on transport costs at least.

Firstly, I agree that as the rules stand Schumi shouldn’t be allowed a day in the F60. However I also agree that the rules should be ammended.

In my view any driver who has not driven in an F1 event that season should be allowed a mileage limited test day to aclimatise to the car in the event that they are brought in to the race team mid-season.

I also agree that FOTA and the FiA should look at expanding the testing carried out at race circuits. I like your idea of them staying on at the circuit and testing on the Monday. They could include admission with the cost of a race day ticket and a lot of the costs would be reduced as the teams would already have everything they needed there. Perhaps they could allow 4 of these days a year and restrict the running to the teams’ reserve/test drivers.

The whole point of the testing ban is to stop teams developing new parts etc during the season, not to put them at a disadvantage if they have to switch drivers. The only difference between Toro Rosso’s situation and Ferrari’s is that TR’s change was voluntary.

I think they both should have had a test – just one day, and in a car inspected by scrutineers and confirmed to be identical to the one used in the previous race. I know it’s unlikely, but imagine the furore if Schumacher has an accident because the 2009 car – which is visibly twitchy – gets away from him!

The guy doesn’t need to test. It’s not like he’s going top be rusty when he rocks up at Valencia on the Friday morning, he’s going to get in that Ferrari and be on the pace within 2 flying laps, stroll through to Q3 on Saturday, and be easily fighting for points and a podium on the Sunday.

It’s correct that he shouldn’t be allowed to test this year’s car, but it’s also correct that he is Michael Schumacher, and therefore, doesn’t really need to.

Of course he shouldn’t be allowed to test. His coming back is a gimmick and you shouldn’t be able to bend the rules for one team/driver.

The way this is being reported, you’d think that the majority of people think Schumacher should test, but from this poll, it is clear that most fans are fair and agree that he shouldn’t be allowed to test.

I said No, not so much because it is against the rules but more because it would have given Ferrari lots of data from the probably the best F1 driver. This would have been totally unfair.

I do think that Ferrari are pulling a fast one in using him. I personally think the rules should be altered so that the replacement must be the nominated test/standby driver, and if for some reason he is not available then a rookie must be recruited.

I will not be surprised if on the Saturday of the race w/end if the Ferrari’s have gained another 0.2s or more on their opposition.

And on the subject of rules, the total testing ban is un-wise. Probably someone proposed it, the accountants all shouted YES, nobody else had a chance to think through the consequences and it was passed.

i think the argument of the red bull teams is correct. a 19 year old, “never drove a f1 car before”, absolutley zero experienced youngster managed to perform well. then why would a 40 year old, 7 times world champion with 16 seasons and 250 f1 races experience, driven many many different cars under different regulations and conditions. familiarizing with a new car would take him 2-3 rounds? :)

so this is my thought about the rules, that refers to everyone, and from this aspect i don’t like the way, that ferrari tries to break the rules at the very first time.

on the other hand, these rules are meant to decrease the costs, among others, and this way the teams don’t have to rent a race track (of course ferrari doesn’t have to anyway), don’t have to pack 6 trucks, drive hundreds of thousends of kilometers and back. but if the teams are at the location, they have done this anyway, so it could be a compromise, that schumacher has 2 hours of extra test time on thursday at valencia. dirty track, suboptimal conditions, but he gets what he want, and no extra costs. and this would apply to every newcomer during the season, grosjean, i guess, and retroactively for alguersuari as well, because he didn’t have such a chance either.

Why would they even bother? They put him in the car specifically to practise for a few races so he will be ready next season. Why blow a boatload of money to get him up to speed sooner?

Coupled with Norbert Haug (and I would assume Ferrari) never hearing of such a request, I really don’t believe STR (Red Bull) when they say “they asked”. Not the teams at least and that’s where they should have asked first.

Given that I can’t afford to buy a Ferrari, does that mean I shouldn’t be allowed to drive one? Not great logic on that point.

As far as I know Haug isn’t the F1 rulemaker, that goes to the highly regarded (*ahem*) FiA. Ferrari were being polite in asking the teams, they didn’t have to. Did STR ask FiA? Know one knows either way at this stage so why shouldn’t you take them at their word?

it’s a win win for Schumacher personally. If he fails to get to grips with the car, then he can blame the lack of testing. If he excels (which I think he will), then the German will look even more the hero.

Didn’t one of the teams ask Charlie Whiting about double diffusers, and told they were not allowed. So they didn’t go down that route. Only to find out several teams did go down that route and then for them to subsequently be declared legal.

Despite the fact M.Shumacher will not be aiming to win the world championship, I can understand Williams’ standpoint in that he will still be a competitor on track and stands to deprive them of some good finishing positions. Assuming his points were not going to be added to Ferrari’s tally, I doubt they’d mind very much, likewise Redbull.

I disagree with the testing ban as a whole, but since the rule was set I believe it should be followed.

Not allowing Jaime Algesuari to test had set a precedent, that Ferrari should dutifully follow. However, what is unclear is whether Torro Rosso actually requested that he be excused. There was no news on this, so that is their loss.

Personally, I think the FIA should solely make the decision in this case. And that ruling should be not allowing Schuey to test in the F60.

Would letting him have a days test help him?… Or help the team improve their car somewhat? Even if it was only for a day. I was just wondering if Ferrarri are allowed to ‘improve’ or upgrade their car depending on Schumi’s F60 ‘test’.

i said no due to 2 things.
1 – a testing ban is a testing ban. same for all.
2 – why didn’t ferrari substitute one of their test drivers? don’t see the point of having test drivers if you draft in someone you unceremoniously dumped years before.

there are 3 free practice sessions before quali. this is ample time for any racer to get to grips with a car and circuit, let alone someone with MS’s history.

And there was me thinking that Schumi retired having acheived just about everything he could in the sport and wanting to spend more time with his family. I didn’t realise he was fired – was it for poor results??

Another ridiculous predicament brought about by ham-fisted rule changes. Obviously the short sighted cretins who came up with the testing ban never thought about the needs of substitute drivers, or new replacements for fired drivers.

However, I think even the FIA realise how stupid a PR move it would be to punish Schumacher for the test that happened on slicks, so, fingers crossed we won’t hear anything more about that.

The whole argument is pointless. It’s just another Formula 1 car, Schumacher’s driven about 20 different cars in his time in F1, and if Jaime Alguersauri at such a young age and with no F1 experience can do it in Hungary, then 7-time world champion Michael Schumacher should have no problem.

Alguersuari was 8 tenths slower than Buemi. Fine for some youngster who comes in F1 having done only a straightline test and an F1 demo, but If Raikkonen is 8 tenths faster than Schumacher it will be a disgrace for Schumacher.

People might say they don’t expect much, but that means that they expect him to be very close to Raikkonen if not in front.

I find it amazing that there is such a debate on this. The rule is NO TESTING. Is it that hard to understand two words?

Personally, I think the ban is dangerous. New drivers unleashed with no familiarity in the car. If someone is injured…. Well, all I can say is everyone knows deep down it is dangerous. But it is the RULE and I/we don’t make them.

STR chose to replace one of their drivers with an inexperienced rookie, Ferrari CHOSE to replace one of their injured drivers with someone who has not driven in a race since 2006 and has had far less time behind the wheel of their current car than the driver Ferrari nominated as being the replacement driver in such an event.

How can this be so difficult for people to grasp?

In any case, the difficulty in 2009 is not driving the car, the simulator will help Schumi get to grips with all that, it’s managing the tyres and he’s been driving the 2007 car with the 2009 tyres, hasn’t he? Not difficult for Ferrari to simulate the amount of downforce he’ll have on the 2009 tyres, is there?

I can understand how everyone feels on both sides of the arguement. But I dont think its fair to think of Ferraris situation and Torro Rossos as the same. Torro Rosso fired Sebastian in the middle of the season… they did that knowing about the no testing. Ferrari on the other hand have Shumacher filling in for the injured Massa, they had no control over that. Dont think they should be compared.

I personally feel Shuey should do a couple of laps in the new car but can see it being unfair. Will definatly be tuning into the testing sessions! :D

i think the only reason ferrari wanted him to test is because rather than having to learn the car and the track at velcia he would be just learning the track, at lest if he knew how the car behaved in certain corners he would have some idea while learning the track at valencia.

i dont think it will cause too much problem but i think kimi is going to look a bit stupid once schumacher turns up and ferrari are paying him what $50million a year? even if he beats schumacher, it wont be by much, he needs a good kik upo the **** anyway

i see that many hear have mixed the testing ban rule with the fact if Ferrari and Schumi should be exempt.

the rule is there, whether right or wrong it’s there they know better than to ask for exceptions.

however, i am a strong advocate of re initiating testing… BUT… controlled within the same country where the HQ is to cut down on transportation costs. possibly at the team’s personal tracks if possible. that would limit costs, and keep it down to just one car.

Part of the issue, and why Williams is sticking his neck out here, is that Ferrari are leveraging a basic advantage when it comes to testing: their private test tracks.

A major aim of the testing ban was to level the field vis a vis Ferrari, who used to carry out a variety of private tests apart from the test days held at Paul Ricard, Estoril, etc. This interest is amplified in this case: even if there were a temporary general exception to the test ban Williams can’t call its people back from the beach, fly his cars and equpment to Portugal and test for two days—not on his budget. All Ferrari has to do is unlock the garage and push the car onto the track.

Now it seems Ferrari want to apply their advantage via a dubious claim of force majeur. This is not an unforeseeable and unavoidable circumstance, says Frank, because they have too very good test drivers on the bench, whose purposes includes letting the team replace a driver on short/no notice, without disrupting the rules.

This is fair. Every team has the same choice when it comes to replacing a driver–use the reserve/test driver, or bring in someone knew who doesn’t know the car and may not be prepared without significant testing. Ferrari have made their choice and should not have it both ways.

The fact that Ferrari have asked for this test is embarrassing. What does that make Schumacher look to the motor racing world? He’s 7 times champion, had 249 F1 starts and 91 wins. He will be the most qualified driver on the grid and then some. Yes, he’s 40 years old and old enough to be their father, cliche’s aside he’s still a very fit person, more than I am anyway. He still was racing recently, the two wheeled kind not long ago until his accident. Did that have a bearing on why they asked for that test? If he can’t get used to the F60 during first practice then I would be very surprised. What would Schuey find difficult in the F60 than his last car the 248 F1? He might find it strange at first but I don’t think he couldn’t handle it. There’s 2000 rpm less, slick tires and less aero grip. The only thing he might have some trouble with is the KERS.

There’s a point that everybody’s forgetting. Did Ferrari get Schuey back in the car to desperately challenge for 2nd position in the constructor’s championship. They are only 58.5 points behind Red Bull. They could catch them up if Vettel and Webber are not on their game. The real pressure is on for Red Bull as Schuey has the potential to take points of them and help Button win the championship. All Button needs to do now is score solid points and not neccessarily win all the races left to be champion. Although he’s still got to keep an eye out for the resurgent Hamilton and Alonso. Plus don’t forget Raikkonen will want to beat Schuey as it won’t look good for him if he does. Maybe the real reason Mateschitz objects to the test is because Red Bull’s best year in F1 is under threat, driver’s and constuctors championship.

Ferrari have had a go at Frank Williams saying the team had demonstrated a lack of spirit of fair play and also and I quote “a team that hasn’t won anything for years.”
I believe Ferrari should be careful in choosing what they make public although they did’t name him, they are showing a lack of respect and contempt for the rule’s. This is putting the sport into disrepute in my opinion. I’m interested in what everyone thinks about this “Indiscretion” they are calling. Link

I don’t think it’s relevant to Schumacher reputation – in fact, I think it’s entirely typical of his approach. He has always maximised every opportunity to do the very best he can, often pushing the rules beyond the limits thought acceptable by many. On at least one occasion he tested on the Friday of the Monaco Grand Prix at Ferrari’s test track (Friday being the traditional ‘day off’ at Monaco with practice unconventionally held on the Thursday).

I’m a big Schumacher fan, Been following him since i was 8, and i agree with whats being said here. He shouldn’t be allowed to test the F60, after all there is a testing ban. I could understand it if hes a rookie, but hes not, hes a 7 time world champion, If your going to let Michael test the F60, you might as well let Jaime test, or better still lift the testing ban completely.

He doesn’t need the test. Ferrari merely asked a yes or no question. You can’t fault them for that. Answer: no, now we can move on.
Besides, he will be a prime player at Valencia anyhow. Everyone else has only driven there once and I believe it is universally hated by all the drivers.
Oh..and yes..the testing ban is stupid.

They asked and they got the answer and that is it. Schu would have only been able to do limited number of laps with it anyway – so it couldn’t have been much of a development stage in any way even if they tried.

Talk about an improvement to the show! Shu is back-with one hand tied behind his back in the form of limited testing.
He is one of the most adaptable drivers ever, and a great “dial-twister”. It will be interesting to watch him come to terms with the car. I predict he will get more out of the adjustable front wing than anyone so far.
Friday practice will be well worth tuning in.
And qualifying at Spa? His in-car is just amazing to see.

In life I think that it is true that what goes around comes around. Williams may well rue the day they took this decision. Seems as if STR wanted Jamie to have a test and Williams said no. Heard James Allen on Talk Sport yesterday. If STR did request a test and were blocked by Sir Frank then I think even less of the Mr Allen than I did before, having heard what he had to say. To say that his comments portrayed Ferrari and Schumacher as playing a fast one would be an understatement. Any takers for Nico to Ferrari?

I dont think FOTA will ever be dead regardless. but yes bickering will always be present. But Frank Williams has been eating sour grapes ever since FOTA was formed and has not really shown that he likes to work “with” the teams as yet. I am not referring to Schu test, but rather to the recent FIA vs FOTA issues. Williams did not help matters, and the recent Concord agreement is excellent for all teams. It wouldn’t have been possible without FOTA. So williams should at least show some respect and try to work with the teams from now on…

pretty cool of him to do.. I hope he can prepare well physically and im sure he will do ok with getting used to the car, albeit he will be in disadvantage over his rivals. Anyway at least it will be lots of fun whatever the outcome.

IMO its not really fair. Ferrari knew when they chose him that he was rusty. Part of the reason I think they chose him was because they wanted to try get some free testing using his name. Dont get me wrong, I am a HUGE ferrari fan.

They had some good drivers who were in form and never needed a warmup testing session, yet they still chose Micheal. I rate they want to try test their car as well.

We’ve overlooked whether Schuey will be able to drive the car setup for Massa. There won’t be alot of time to make changes to his liking during practice before qualifying and the race. Maybe this is the reason they wanted the test. The expectations for him to win or be on the podium will be immense, but I think Schuey fans will be disppointed come the Valencia race. At the most he will score a couple of points or be taken out by one of the young guns. If he does win or does very well then he will be lauded to the highest. If he doesn’t then the detractor’s will be sharpening their knifes, but if that happens then Schuey will prove them wrong in the next race at Spa, one of his favourite circuits. Looking forward to that one.

Ferrari has the right to ask, the other teams have the right to say no – and I agree with the decision to block the test drive. Rules are rules – they know these situations will arise during the season, it would be really naive of anyone to think that they did not consider these situations. There have been a death in the middle of the season, drivers injured, etc. where they had to bring in the third driver.

If Schumy had decided to come back in a Renault after replacing Piquet, would Ferrari have agreed to the waiver??? Hehehe, we all know the answer to that one, don’t we?

When five time Wimbledon winner Bjorn Borg retired and decided to play only Wimbledon, he was told he would have to play in the qualifier, which he immediately declined. He too expected waivers to the rules because of his status not unlike Schumy’s situation.

Can’t wait to see him race, it is a great mid season twist along with McLaren’s resurgence.

I think this was a fair development. Some kind of practice of allowing rookies entering the sport during the season some more preparation than simulator and straight line tests should be discussed, but right now, the situation is as it was defined, and under those circumstances, no driver, no matter how successful or promising, warrants any exceptions from that rule.